The media committed another hit job on Donald Trump Monday evening, falsely reporting that he personally ordered a large group of Black students be removed from a campaign rally held at Valdosta State University in Georgia.

The rumor started with Des Moines Register reporter Jennifer Jacobs who reported–without verifying–on Twitter and then in a report for USA Today that a group of Black students were kicked out before the rally began on orders by Trump. Jacob’s false report was picked up by many outlets without verification.

It was only hours after smearing Trump that Jacobs reported a flat denial from the Trump campaign.

Jacobs reported the students were not protesting yet a video report with her article includes a Black student stating “we came to the rally today just to make a statement with our attire.” The student and her group were dressed in black.

Jacobs reported the students were standing as a group on the top row of a section of bleachers when they were removed.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — About 30 black students who were standing silently at the top of the bleachers at Donald Trump’s rally here Monday night were escorted out by Secret Service agents who said the presidential candidate had requested their removal before he began speaking.

The sight of the students, who were visibly upset, being led outside by law enforcement officials created a stir at a university that was a whites-only campus until 1963.

Note that there are no qualifiers, such as ‘students claim they were removed at Trump’s order’ or anything remotely close to ethical reporting.

Jacobs’ tweets on the story display the same lack of responsible reporting.

BREAKING: About 30 Valdosta students kicked out of Trump rally. They say they were standing silently in bleachers. pic.twitter.com/VDeWpICIAr

“Trump asks Secret Service to remove about 30 black students standing silently at top of bleachers at Valdosta rally. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/02/29/donald-trump-georgia-rally-valdosta/81129964/ …”

Trump had 1 group of ~30 black students removed before his remarks at Valdosta, but many other small groups remained, & caused no disruption

“they were ejected because they were trying to remove banners from the wall before trump even got on campus. Had NOTHING to do with race, but this being AJC its only about race.”

“That’s a not true Jennifer…I was there and they went in a area that was off limits and was moved out… then they gave the black power hand fist and start the black lives matter… then they were removed for causing a problem. I noticed 5 or 6 returned later and was in stands but no problem after that. One white kid in middle of the crowd with about 10 minutes to go before being over started calling Trump names and was told to leave.

“The Valdosta Police and LCSO did a great job with the crowds and Trump fans… Super nice to everyone.”

“I am at the event, they were booing, some even started up with the Black lives matter BS when they were being escorted out”

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